Happy 20th Birthday, Zachary!

I'm posting this a few days late, but the message is just the same:  HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY, ZACHARY!  It is unbelievable that you are 20, but you ARE!  What a wonderful 20 years it has been!

It has been so much fun having Zachary here at home this summer! Next year he won't be here because he'll have an internship somewhere, so we've made the most of him being here.  For a "job" this summer, he's making cinnamon rolls.  He's done a great job and been about as busy with it as he's wanted to be!  Plus they've sure smelled good when he's been able to make them at home!

A major milestone he's had this summer is getting his braces off!  It was a looooonnnnngggg time coming, and he's been a real trooper through the whole thing.  It's worth it in the end, but I know it was definitely a pain!  What a beautiful (handsome, I suppose he would prefer!) smile!

Instead of a large family party, we just did our own family party. We ate Mexican food and bowled.  It was a lot of fun!  It's always fun seeing someone else wear a sombrero and get sung to!

Since this is a few days late, it gave me an opportunity to post about something Zachary did a few days after his birthday. He was down to teach the auditorium Bible class for this past Wednesday night.  The topic was "Homeland Security" and had to do with what parents could do to prepare their children for the world and "war zone".  Even though he doesn't have any parental experience, he has lots of experience being a "kid" and is a great example of how to live in the world and not of the world.  The material was basically prepared for him, as he only had to add a few of his own thoughts and experiences, but he did great!  He'll do that full-time as a youth minister, so this was just preparation for his future, Lord willing.  

Zachary,

I'm so thankful that God gave me the opportunity to be your momma.  (He calls me momma...the only one who does!)  It has been a wonderful blessing to raise you, and I'm so very proud of you - for who you are and for your work in God's Kingdom.  I look forward to seeing how He uses you in the years to come.  Thank you for being such a great brother to your siblings.  We appreciate you very much.  We are always here for you.  We will always love you.

MOMMA :)